Improvement in coffin-handles



P. A. M'OWERS. Coffin-Handles.

Patented April 16,1828;

W I INVENTO'R m M ATTORN EY UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

PETER A. MOWERS, OF SHIPPENSBUBG, PENNSYLVANIA.

IMPROVEMENT IN COFFlN-HANDLES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 202,367, dated April 16, 1878; application filed July 31, 1877.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PETER A. MOWERS, of Shippensburg, in the county of Cumberland and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coffin or Gasket Handles; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification, and in which- Figure 1 is a top view of a coffin or casket having several modifications of my improved handles attached thereto. Fig. 2 is a side view of thesame. Fig. 3 is a cross-section thereof on the dotted line 00 m, Fig. 2. Figs. 4, 5, and 7 are detached views; and Fig. 6 shows a modification.

Corresponding parts in the several figures are denoted by like letters.

This invention relates to a certain improvement in handles particularly designed for coffins or caskets.

My improvement in coffin or casket handles consists in making them removable by means of a slot in a plate attached to the coffin or casket, and a revolving pivot or shank ofthe handle, said pivot having a cross -pin or stud, which may be inserted through the said slot, or removed therefrom, at pleasure, and also turned with the pivot, so as to hold the handle securely in place for lifting, all as hereinafter more fully described and claimed.

In the annexed drawing, A refers to a coffin or casket, and B B to handles, which may be made after any desired pattern, and are hinged or pivoted to the pivots G O, in the usual manner. Through the pivots O G are inserted transversely pins or studs 0, the function of which will be seen hereinafter. E is a plate or plates, one for each handle, which is provided with a slotted aperture, G, for the reception of the pivot O and its transverse pin or stud 0, upon connecting the handle to the casket or coffin. Behind the plate E is an annular recess, N, communicating with and in rear of which is a similar recess of less diameter, to receive the extreme inner end of the pivot O. The recess N is to receive the stud or pin 0, when the pivot O is inserted through the slotted aperture G, and to permit of the passage of the said pivot in rear of the plate E in looking the handle in place. The pin or stud 0 is passed in rear of the plate E after the insertion of the pivot G in its aperture, so as to bring the said pin in a line with said recess N by turning the handle around about one-fourth of a revolution.

The construction and arrangement of the slotted plate in connection with the revolving pivot or shank and its cross-pin or stud allow the handles to be removed or replaced at pleasure.

The extreme inner end of the handle is provided with a projection or shoulder, L, Which enters a groove or recess, M, in the coffin or casket, to retain the handle or handles in a horizontal position, and prevent their turning as the coffin or casket is being lifted. The shoulders or projections of the handles attached to the sides of the casket are rounded oii, to permit of the handles turning with their pivots, the handle or handles above first described, with shoulder L, being intended for the ends of the coffin or casket.

In Figs. 1 and 6 a modification is shown, there being two plates employed, the outer plate E having no slot, while the inner plate I has a slot to receive the thumb-pivot D, which fastens the handle in place.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, 1s

1. The handle B, provided with the pivot 0, having pin or stud c, in combination with the plate E, having a slotted aperture, G, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

'2. The handle B, having a projection or shoulder, L, and pivot 0, provided with pin or stud c, in combination with the slotted or recessed plate E, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

PETER A. MOWERS.

Witnesses:

WILLIAM J. MAINS, J AuEs W. KENYoN. 

